HILO, Hawai'i – A strong start followed by a solid finish propelled the Hawai'i Hilo women's basketball to a 86-45 book-end victory over Chaminade Saturday afternoon in Pacific West Conference play at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
It was the Vulcans' first game after a two-week break but they wasted no time putting up points, getting off to a 24-7 lead at the end of the first period of play after going 61.1 percent from the field on 11-of-18 shooting.
Meanwhile, the Silverswords were just 3 of 16 (18.8 percent) in the opening quarter.
"This is always a hard game because we're coming off the break and only had a couple practices. Obviously, a little rusty — both teams were — but it's good to get the win," Hawai'i Hilo head coach David Kaneshiro said. "Now we got a bunch of games in a short amount of time in January and we just got to get ready for them one at a time."
The lead never wavered as the Vulcans closed out the contest with an equal 11-of-18-shooting output in the final quarter to take the 86-45 victory and season sweep over Chaminade.
By The Numbers
- Kamalu Kamakawiwoole led the Vulcans with 18 points (7 of 9 FG), seven rebounds, two steals and three blocks.
- Mandi Kawaha followed with 17 points, seven assists and eight rebounds with three steals.
- Jenna Waki, Mindy Kawaha and Bree Olson each finished the game shooting 4 of 6 from the field. For Olson, it was her first action after missing the last four games as she tallied 11 boards for a near double-double.
- The Vulcans dominated with a 60-14 points-in-the-paint advantage.
- Dezaray Carter and Emma Morris both finished with nine points to lead the Silverswords.
What's Next
Hawai'i Hilo improved to 5-5 overall, 2-2 PacWest Conference while Chaminade moved to a 1-10 record (1-5 Pacific West Conference).
The Vulcans will be back in action Tuesday, Jan. 3 for a hoops doubleheader against Point Loma Nazarene (6-8 overall, 4-2 PacWest). The women will tip off at 5 p.m. followed by the men's game at 7:30 p.m. in the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
The Silverswords will return home to host Champion Christian College (6-1 overall) out of NCCAA on Jan. 2 before returning to PacWest play.
